Capital of Scotland and a cultural tour de force, with ancient tales to tell and a progressive nature: Edinburgh is a majestic place to live, rivalling any major city in the world today. Historically, it stands with the greats. From the early 19th century, it’s been called the Athens of the North, earning comparisons with the Greek capital based on its dramatic landscape, Neoclassical architecture, and the far-ranging influence of its intellectuals.
One of them, Robert Louis Stevenson – the legendary writer of Treasure Island among others – disagreed: he said his home city “is what Paris ought to be”. All of it high praise, but the truth of it is – Edinburgh has a distinct character all of its own, and always has done. It became the capital of Scotland after the Wars of Independence with England and, in the reign of King James III (1460–88), quickly became its major trading centre.
Edinburgh has experienced many changes since then, but the city has never stopped developing – even when Scotland lost its own parliament because of the 1707 Act of Union with England, it remained a centre of law and administration, with increases in population, wealth, and diversity. It also flourished as a celebrated seat of learning, developing its university and contributing to the intellectual and cultural boom known as the Scottish Enlightenment.
Nicest Areas in Edinburgh
Fast forward to the 21st century, it’s renaissance mode again. Edinburgh is thriving, with world-leading higher education establishments, an internationally famous arts festival, and a healthy sense of conserving its heritage, preserving the city’s beauty for generations to come. Adding to the glow – autonomy. With the formation of a new Scottish Parliament and government in 1999, once again Edinburgh is Scotland’s proud political centre.
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STOCKBRIDGE
To the north of the city, Stockbridge is a gem – charming cobbled streets and a village feel all of its own. It’s one of Edinburgh’s most popular neighbourhoods, and for obvious reasons – beyond the elegant atmosphere, it boasts sumptuous Georgian architecture, plenty of green space, and an ever-growing medley of independent shops and restaurants. The story behind its name is simple – the actual Stock Bridge was built in 1801 and spans the Water of Leith, adding to its beauty and capturing the sense of history that pervades Edinburgh. With property, townhouses, tenements, and mews houses catching the eye – the latter, on picturesque Circus Lane, are illuminated with vividly colourful garages once used as horse stables. Adding to the delights is a bustling weekly market, selling artisan food and crafts from local producers – all that within walking distance of Edinburgh itself.
MARCHMONT
About a mile south of the Old Town – not much more than a hearty walk through the green open spaces of The Meadows – Marchmont is one of the largest residential areas in Edinburgh, and its popularity is easy to fathom. Huge Victorian and Edwardian-era homes capture the imagination, taking you on a journey of the imagination into the city’s past. But there is an upmarket feel and modern twist throughout, with cutting-edge coffee shops and restaurants giving a chic edge to the local food and drink scene. Families and professionals love the area because of its wide-ranging facilities and outdoor pastimes.
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WEST END
Culture and shopping – the West End is the ideal launch pad for indulging both, with its central location that’s just off the busy beaten track. Effectively, it’s perfect for the city centre. If it’s retail therapy you’re after, then this location is mere minutes from the high-end shopping establishments of Edinburgh’s Princes Street and George Street, allied to the stylish boutiques of William Street and Stafford Street. When you’re ready to put your wallet down and your feet up, you will find the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art – an ever-evolving treat for the eyes. And when it comes to sustenance, there is a great variety of popular bars, pubs, and cafes. Green space is also in abundance – a common and welcome theme across Edinburgh – with Princes Street Gardens to the fore, and the West End Conservation Area part of the UNESCO Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Transport links are a big pull – Haymarket train station is on the doorstep, and Waverley station is a 10-minute walk, from where numerous locations across the UK can be reached.
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PORTOBELLO
Long sandy beaches are not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Edinburgh, but Portobello delivers just that – living the good life beside the sea but with excellent city centre access just three miles away along the famous Firth of Forth. Locals love Portobello, and once roots are put down, it’s hard to look back. Because of the sumptuous location just outside Edinburgh and the clean and peaceful beach – with a pedestrianised promenade – there is a genuinely friendly community spirit, where wellbeing and looking out for one another are the focus. Underpinning this sense of contentment are the other vital ingredients to enjoying and relishing where you live – eclectic bars, restaurants, cafes, a wide range of shops catering for everything you might need or desire, a wealth of green spaces, and superb property with charm and character. Flats are especially popular, with slick, modern apartments and traditional tenements.
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HOLYROOD
Home to the enchanting, world-famous Arthur’s Seat – looking up to it is amazing, looking down from it is even better – Holyrood is a richly historic area embedded in the Old Town. It’s less busy than some other areas of Edinburgh, which can appeal to those who want something of a quieter life, but have no doubt, there is still plenty to do here – especially for families. Green space feels almost endless thanks to Holyrood Park, and there are museums aplenty. Holyrood House, with the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, takes you back in time, and climbing up the Arthur’s Seat trail makes you feel on top of the world.
Choosing to live or spend a significant amount of time in Edinburgh brings a rare sense of privilege. Millions of tourists visit the city every year, and millions go home wanting more of it With a rich and vivid history, stunning landscapes, bucolic green spaces, a world-class arts and education scene, and restaurants and shopping to compare with any – enjoying everything that the Scottish capital has to offer is, some might argue, a lifetime’s work.
